Soccer Diplomacy for the Two Koreas?

Even if a meeting of North and South Korean officials this weekend to discuss the reopening of an industrial park on the northern side of the countries’ border doesn’t kick off a substantial rapprochement, at least it isn’t likely to be the last time representatives from the two sides meet this month.

South Korea said Friday that it has authorized the North Korean women’s soccer team to travel to the South to participate in a regional tournament later this month.

The EAFF Women’s East Asian Cup takes place July 20-27 in and around Seoul and involves both Koreas, Japan and China. The South Korean team will meet the North Korean side at Seoul’s World Cup Stadium on July 21.

Travel between the two Koreas for sporting events remains relatively rare. The last visit to South Korea by a North Korean sports team was for a 2009 men’s soccer World Cup qualifying match.

North Korea didn’t qualify for the men’s edition of the EAFF East Asian Cup, also scheduled for this month in South Korea. Korea Real Time has more.